STRAP COVER DEVICE

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to a device for attaching to a strap of a hat that provides comfort to the wearer of the hat as well as sweat absorbing/wicking properties. The device can include a material piece having a first and second side that is divided into three panels. The material piece is configured to fold at two places such that the device can be wrapped around the strap. A hook and loop attachment means can be provided on at least two of the three panels, such that a hook and loop portion are configured to contact each other when the material piece is wrapped around the strap. Alternatively, the device can be a layered material having a first layer that faces the wearer of the hat and a second layer having an adhesive material for attaching to the inside of the strap of the hat.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention generally involves a device for covering the sizing connection of a cap to provide comfort to the wearer of the cap.

BACKGROUND

Baseball-style caps typically have a strap that allows for the size of the cap to be adjusted by the wearer. However, these straps can be uncomfortable to the wearer of the hat. For instance, the strap is often made of a hard plastic material that can dig into the head and leave an impression of the strap on the wearer's head. Additionally, it is common for a wearer of the hat to sweat while wearing the hat. This can be uncomfortable and even lead to the strap slipping on the head or sweat getting stuck under the strap and getting trapped in the pores of the wearer. Accordingly, there is a need for a device that provides comfort to the wearer of a hat.

SUMMARY

The present disclosure involves a device that can be provided on or around the sizing strap of a hat that provides comfort to the wearer of the hat as well as a means for brand advertisement. Generally, a device for attaching to a strap of a hat is provided that has a material piece having a first side and a second side. The material piece is divided into three panels and is configured to fold at two places. A hook and loop attachment means is provided on at least two of the three panels of the material piece, such that a hook portion of the hook and loop attachment means is provided on the first side of the material piece and a loop portion of the hook and loop attachment means is provided on the second side of the material piece. The hook portion and the loop portion are configured to contact each other when the material piece is wrapped around the strap.

In one aspect, the material piece has a top edge, a bottom edge, and two side edges. According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the top edge, bottom edge, and two side edges are finished. In another aspect, the material piece comprises a cloth material, such as a terry cloth material.

In accordance with one aspect, the first panel is contiguous with the second panel and the second panel is contiguous with the third panel with the first panel and the third panel separated from each other by the second panel. In another aspect, the second side of the material piece on the first panel is configured to contact the strap when the device is attached to the strap. In yet another aspect, the first side of the material piece on the second panel is configured to face away from a wearer of the hat when the device is attached to the strap. The device is substantially rectangular in shape when attached to the strap.

With respect to the hook and loop attachment means, the hook portion is provided on the first panel of the material piece and the loop portion is provided on the third panel of the material piece.

According to another aspect, the first side of the material piece on the second panel is provided with indicia, such that when the device is attached to the strap, the indicia is facing away from the wearer of the hat.

In accordance with another embodiment of the present disclosure, a device for attaching to a strap of a hat is provided that includes a first material having a first side and a second side, the first side of the first material configured to come in contact with a wearer of the hat once the device is attached to the strap, and a second material having a first side and a second side and comprising an adhesive material. In this embodiment, the first side of the second material is in contact with and adjoined to a second side of the first material and the second side of the second material is configured to attach to the strap via the adhesive material.

In one aspect of the embodiment, the first material can include one or more materials, such as natural fibers, synthetic fibers, or a rubber material. For example, the first material can comprise neoprene

In yet another aspect, the device comprising a top edge and a bottom edge, with the top edge and the bottom edge of the device being substantially parallel to a top edge and a bottom edge of the strap when the device is attached to the hat.

According to another aspect, the device also includes a release layer provided on the second side of the second material which is to be removed prior to attaching the device to the strap of the hat.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a baseball-type hat having a sizing strap and a device in accordance with a first embodiment for attaching to the strap.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a baseball-type hat having a sizing strap and a device in accordance with a first embodiment that is attached to the strap.

FIG. 3 is a top down view of a first side of a device in accordance with a first embodiment, with the second side of the device also shown in one corner.

FIG. 4A depicts the hook portion of a hook and loop closure means of the device in FIG. 3A.

FIG. 4B depicts the loop portion of a hook and loop closure means of the device in FIG. 3A.

FIGS. 5A and 5B depict the first and second sides, respectively, of the device in accordance with a first embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a side view of the device in accordance with a first embodiment as it would be attached to the strap of the hat.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a baseball style hat having a sizing strap and a device in accordance with a second embodiment attached to the inside of the strap.

FIG. 8 is a top down view of a device in accordance with a second embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a side view of a device in accordance with a second embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a perspective of the underside of a baseball-type hat showing a device in accordance with a second embodiment as the device is being applied to the strap of the hat.

FIG. 11 is a perspective of the underside of a baseball-type hat showing a device in accordance with a second embodiment after the device has been applied to the strap of the hat.

For a thorough understanding of the present disclosure, reference should be made to the following detailed description, including the appended claims, in connection with the above-described drawings. Although the present disclosure is described in connection with exemplary embodiments, the disclosure is not intended to be limited to the specific forms set forth herein. It is understood that various omissions and substitutions of equivalents are contemplated as circumstances may suggest or render expedient.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present disclosure involves a strap cover device that can be provided on or around the sizing strap of a hat that provides comfort to the wearer of the hat as well as a means for brand advertisement.

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of one embodiment of a strap cover device 200, wherein the device 200 is separated from a baseball style hat 100 and the sizing strap 110, while FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of one embodiment of the strap cover device 200 surrounding the sizing strap 110. The sizing strap 110 can be a plastic snap-style sizing strap, but is not limited to such. Other sizing straps 100 can include but are not limited to those that are made of a woven or elastic material.

The strap cover device 200 and its construction is further illustrated in in FIGS. 3A, 5A and 5B. As can be seen, the strap cover is formed of a material piece 210. The material piece 210 can be made of any material that provided comfort to the wearer's head. The material can also provide sweat wicking capabilities. Suitable materials include, but are not limited to, any natural materials such as fibers (e.g., fabric materials such as cotton, terry cloth, flax, wool, rami, or silk), denim, leather, down, or fur; synthetic fibers or fabric materials such as nylon, polyester, and spandex, rayon, Gor-Tex® (polytetrafluoroethylene); synthetic rubber such as neoprene and Ariaprene™, natural plant-based rubber, such as guayule; and any combinations thereof. In a preferred embodiment, the material is a terry cloth material.

The material piece 210 has a first side 220 and a second side 230, a top edge 240, bottom edge 250, and two side edges 260. The material piece 210 can be divided into a first panel 270, a second panel 280, and a third panel 290, in which the first panel 270 is contiguous with the second panel 280 and the second panel 280 is contiguous with the third panel 290. Preferably, the widths of the three panels are all substantially equal to each other. Similarly, the lengths of the three panels are all substantially equal to each other. In one aspect, the edges can be finished such as with a stitching around all four edges 240, 250, and 260.

The first panel 270 has one end, defined by edge 240, and another end that is at the point of contiguity 275 of the first panel 270 and the second panel 280. The second panel 280 has two ends, one end which is defined by the point of contiguity 275 of the first panel and the second panel and the other end which is defined by the point of contiguity 285 of the second panel 280 and the third panel 290. The third panel 290 has one end, defined by edge 250, and another end that is at the point of contiguity 285 of the second panel 280 and the third panel 290.

In one embodiment, the device 200 can include a hook and loop attachment means 300 for attaching the device to the strap 110 of the hat 100. The hook and loop attachment means 300 can be adhered to the material piece 210 using an adhesive or it can be sewn into the material piece 210. In one aspect, the first panel 270 comprises the hook portion 310 of the hook and loop attachment means 300 on the first side 220, as shown in FIGS. 3, 4A and 5A. The hook portion 310 can comprise substantially all of the first side 220 of the first panel 270, or it can comprise an area that is less than substantially all of the first side 220, such as from about 20 to about 95% of the first side of the first panel. For example, the hook portion 310 can comprise about 95%, 90%, 85%, 80%, 75%, 70%, 60%, 50%, 40%, 30% or 20% of the first side of the first panel.

The third panel 290 comprises the loop portion 320 of the hook and loop attachment means 300 on the second side 230, as shown in FIGS. 3, 4B, and 5B. The loop portion 320 can comprise substantially all of the second side of the third panel 290, or it can comprise an area that is less than substantially all of the second side 230, such as from about 20 to about 95% of the second side 230 of the third panel 290. For example, the loop portion 320 can comprise about 95%, 90%, 85%, 80%, 75%, 70%, 60%, 50%, 40%, 30% or 20% of the second side 230 of the third panel 290.

The second panel 280 extends between and is contiguous with the first 270 and third panels 290. In one embodiment, either or both of the loop portion 320 or the hook portion 310 can extend into the second panel 280. In another preferred embodiment, the second panel 280 does not comprise any of the hook and loop attachment means 300.

The material piece 210 is preferably configured to be folded in two places, such as the point of contiguity between the first and second panel 275 and the point of contiguity between the second and third panel 285. In one embodiment, stitching can be provided along the points of continuity 275 and 285, such as along the dotted lines indicated in FIGS. 3, 5A and 5B, to allow for easier folding.

Alternatively, or additionally, other means for attaching the device to the strap of the hat can be used, such as complimentary snaps (e.g. male and female snaps).

Referring to FIGS. 5A, 5B and 6, in order to attach to the hat 100, the first 270, second 280 and third 290 panels are wrapped, or folded, around the strap 110 by folding the material piece 210 at the two points of continuity 275 and 285, such that the first panel 270, second panel 280, and third panel 290 are substantially aligned with one another, as shown in FIG. 6. In this manner, the hook portion 310 of the first panel 270 will engage with the loop portion 320 of the third panel 290 to secure the device 200 to the strap 110 of the hat 100, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 6.

In one aspect, when the device 200 is attached to the strap 110 of the hat 100, the second panel 280 is positioned such that the second side 230 of the second panel 280 is facing and in contact with the strap 110 and the first side 220 of the second panel 280 is facing the opposite direction and away from the head of the wearer.

In one aspect, the second panel 280 can have an area provided for the placement of indicia 205 (as indicated by the star), such as advertisements, trademarks, logos and other indicia. For example, but not limitation, the indicia can be embroidered, silk-screened, have heat-sealed patch capability, etc. The indicium will be provided at least on the first side 220 of the second panel 280, such that the indicium is viewable to an observer when an individual is wearing the hat, as is shown in FIG. 2.

Alternatively, indicia 205 can be provided on the first side 220 of the third panel 290 (not shown). In this manner, the device would still be folded as shown in FIG. 6. However, when attached to the strap 110 of the hat 100, the second panel 280 is positioned such that the second side 230 of the second panel 280 is facing and in contact with the strap 110 and the first side 220 of the second panel 280 is facing the head of the wearer. The first side 220 of the third panel 290 would then face away from the head of the wearer such that the indicium is visible to an observer when an individual is wearing the hat.

FIG. 7 depicts another embodiment in accordance with the present disclosure. As shown in FIG. 7, the device 400 is attached to the side of the strap 110 that faces the wearer's head. FIG. 8 shows the device 400 from a top down view. The device 400 is preferably shaped to substantially follow the shape of the inside of the strap 110. However, it is to be understood that the device can be any other shape and can be bigger or smaller than the strap 110.

As shown in FIG. 9, the device is comprised of two layers, the first layer 410 comprising a first material and the second layer 420 comprising a second material. The first material is a material that provides comfort to a wearer of the hat 100 when the device 400 is attached to the inside of the strap 110. In certain aspects the first material is also capable of providing sweat wicking properties. Suitable materials include, but are not limited to, any natural materials such as fibers (e.g., cotton, flax, wool, terry cloth, rami, or silk), denim, leather, down, or fur; synthetic fibers such as nylon, polyester, and spandex, rayon, Gor-Tex® (polytetrafluoroethylene); synthetic rubber such as neoprene and Ariaprene™, natural plant-based rubber, such as guayule; and any combinations thereof. In one embodiment, the first material 410 is neoprene. The first material 410 has a first side 412 and a second side 414, the first side 412 configured to come in contact with a wearer of the hat 100 once the device is attached to the strap 110.

The second layer 420 is made of an adhesive material and has a first side 422 and a second side 424. The adhesive material can be any material known in the art for providing a tackified surface that can be applied to a desired surface, such as a plastic material. The first side 422 of the second layer 420 is applied to the second side 414 of the first layer 410 such that the first layer 410 and second layer 420 remain mated to one another while a third removable layer 430, such as a release material is provided on the second side 424 of the second layer 420. The second side 424 of the second layer 420 is tackified such that it anchors the device 400 to the surface on which the device 400 is applied to, such as the strap 110 of the hat 100. The release material protects the second side 424 from sticking to an unwanted surface prior to applying the device 400 to its intended surface. The third layer 430, or release layer, is to be peeled off of the second layer 420 of the device 400 prior to attaching the device 400 to its intended surface. In a preferred embodiment, the device 400 is attached to the inside of the strap 110 of a hat 100 via the second side 424 of the second layer 420, as shown in FIGS. 10 and 11. FIG. 10 depicts the device 400 as it is being applied to the inside of the strap 110, while FIG. 11 depicts the device 400 once it has been applied to the inside of the strap 110. As can be seen in FIGS. 8 and 11, once attached, the top edge 402 and the bottom edge 404 of the device 400 are substantially parallel to a top edge and a bottom edge of the strap 110 when the device 400 is attached to the hat 100.

In another embodiment, both a first material that can be applied to the back of the strap using an adhesive layer and a second material that can wrap around to the outer-facing side of the strap can be provided in one device (not shown). The first material, similar to the first layer of the device 400, will be a material that provides comfort to the wearer of the hat and may also be capable of providing sweat wicking properties. The first material will be facing and in contact with the head of the individual wearing the hat. The second material, similar to the device 200, will wrap around the strap of the hat, such that it covers the strap like the device 200, indicia can be provided on the second material such that the indicium is visible to an observer of an individual wearing the hat when the device is attached to the strap of the hat.

In another embodiment, an device (not shown) comprising a first material piece comprising an elastic material can be provided in a sleeve configuration, such that the sleeve can be stretched to slip over the strap and be held in place by virtue of the elasticity of the material. The apparatus can also include a second material which will be provided on a side of the first material piece that abuts the wearer's head when the hat is worn. Additionally, indicia can be provided on a side/portion of the first material piece that will be facing away from the wearer's head when the hat is worn, such that the indicium is visible to an observer of the individual wearing the hat. The first material can be made of any material that provides comfort to the wearer of the hat while also exhibiting elastic characteristics. The second material can be the same material as the first material, a similar material to the first material or a completely different material than the first material. Similar to the materials of devices 200 and 400, suitable materials for the second material can be, but are not limited to any natural materials such as fibers (e.g., cotton, flax, wool, rami, or silk), denim, leather, down, or fur; synthetic fibers such as nylon, polyester, and spandex, rayon, Gor-Tex® (polytetrafluoroethylene); Synthetic rubber such as neoprene and Ariaprene™, a natural plant-based rubber, such as guayule; and any combinations thereof.

It is to be understood that the device is not necessarily drawn to scale. It is also to be understood that any corners or edges depicted in the figures can be at any angle or can be curved. Similarly, any rounded edges in the figures can be straight edges.

Reference throughout this specification to “one embodiment” or “an embodiment” means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment. Thus, appearances of the phrases “in one embodiment” or “in an embodiment” in various places throughout this specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment. Furthermore, the particular features, structures, or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments.

The terms and expressions which have been employed herein are used as terms of description and not of limitation, and there is no intention, in the use of such terms and expressions, of excluding any equivalents of the features shown and described (or portions thereof), and it is recognized that various modifications are possible within the scope of the claims. Accordingly, the claims are intended to cover all such equivalents.

INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE

Any and all references and citations to other documents, such as patents, patent applications, patent publications, journals, books, papers, and web contents that have been made throughout this disclosure are hereby incorporated herein by reference in their entirety for all purposes.

EQUIVALENTS

The invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or essential characteristics thereof. The foregoing embodiments are therefore to be considered in all respects illustrative rather than limiting on the invention described herein.

Claims

1. A device for attaching to a strap of a hat, comprising:

a material piece having a first side and a second side, the material piece configured to fold at two places and having three panels;

hook and loop attachment means provided on at least two of the three panels of the material piece, such that a hook portion of the hook and loop attachment means is provided on the first side of the material piece and a loop portion of the hook and loop attachment means is provided on the second side of the material piece,

wherein the hook portion and the loop portion are configured to contact each other when the material piece is wrapped around the strap.

2. The device of claim 1, the first panel contiguous with the second panel and the second panel contiguous with the third panel.

3. The device of claim 2, wherein the hook portion is provided on the first panel of the material piece.

4. The device of claim 3, wherein the loop portion is provided on the third panel of the material piece.

5. The device of claim 4, wherein the first panel and the third panel are separated from each other by the second panel.

6. The device of claim 1, wherein the second side of the material piece on the first panel is configured to contact the strap when the device is attached to the strap.

7. The device of claim 6, wherein the first side of the material piece on the second panel is configured to face away from a wearer of the hat when the device is attached to the strap.

8. The device of claim 7, wherein the first side of the material piece on the second panel is provided with indicia, such that when the device is attached to the strap, the indicia is facing away from the wearer of the hat.

12. The device of claim 1, wherein the material piece has a top edge, a bottom edge, and two side edges.

13. The device of claim 12, wherein the top edge, bottom edge, and two side edges are finished.

14. The device of claim 1, wherein the material piece comprises a cloth material.

15. The device of claim 10, wherein the device is substantially rectangular in shape when attached to the strap.

16. A device for attaching to a strap of a hat comprising:

a first material having a first side and a second side, the first side of the first material configured to come in contact with a wearer of the hat once the device is attached to the strap; and

a second material having a first side and a second side and comprising an adhesive material, the first side of the second material being in contact with and adjoined to a second side of the first material, the second side of the second material configured to attach to the strap via the adhesive material.

17. The device of claim 16, said first material comprising one or more selected from the group consisting of a natural fiber, a synthetic fiber, or a rubber material.

18. The device of claim 17, said first material comprising neoprene.

19. The device of claim 16, said device comprising a top edge and a bottom edge, the top edge and the bottom edge of the device being substantially parallel to a top edge and a bottom edge of the strap when the device is attached to the hat.

20. The device of claim 16, further comprising a release layer provided on the second side of the second material, the release layer to be removed prior to attaching the device to the strap of the hat.